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Below you can read a summary of each of our NIA and NIC projects. We actively share the results and methodology of our research with all transmission system operators (TOs) and stakeholders – why not sign up for our Newsletter and stay informed?

NIA Projects in Progress

NIA SHET 0018 Transformer Intrascope Phase 2

This project seeks to improve upon and overcome the limitations of the phase 1 design to allow for better access, physical range, positional control and visual imaging capability, whilst accepting any improvements that can also be made to spectroscopic measurements. The scope of the project is to have a fully refined, assembled and functional intrascope probe system which has been both mechanically and functionally proven within a laboratory-based environment and via field trials.This will be achieved by making the following developments to the Intrascope toolkit;

Implementing alternative articulation methods of the intrascope for improved reach and control

Selecting an improved visual imaging camera and light source for long range visibility within a transformer

Redesign of the Intrascope delivery system in conjunction with the improved articulation to ease of deployment

On completion of field trials an inspection procedure will be created to determine the optimal inspection requirements and methods along with an effective way of storing and presenting findings from the inspection. Once the system has been assembled in a laboratory environment and gone through initial functional and mechanical testing, it will be trialled on a range of available transformers. Refinements will also be made to both the hardware and software based on the learning obtained from this test phase.

NIA_SHET_0014 Partial Discharge Monitoring

Install a
online trial of PD monitoring systems incorporating alternative technologies and
suppliers at selected sites and integrate with SHE Transmissions SCADA system
in order to collect, store and analyse output PD event data to establish if
this can be used to improve the management of safety critical plant. Learning
from this project will also be used for further work to incorporate PD failure
precursors into control and protection schemes.

NIA_SHET_0020 RainMan

The
Remote Asset INertial Monitoring and Alerting Network (RAINMAN) innovation
project, once complete, will allow monitoring via a web-based server making it
possible to pin-point the location of any unusual disturbances on the
electricity network. This could mean quicker fault restoration following
weather events, and even the detection of problems before they occur.

NIA_SHET_0021 Composite Core (ACCC) Inspection

This
project seeks to develop a prototype to evaluate the condition of the core of
ACCC conductors. It will aim to gain an understanding of the effectiveness of
the ACCC composite core inspection tool in evaluating the carbon core.

NIA_SHET_0022 T System Fault Level Monitoring

The aim of
this project was the development of a passive fault level monirtoing programme
across six transmission substations providing good coverage of fault levels
across the SHE Transmission system in the North of Scotland.

NIA_SHET_0023 LISAS

Line Inspections by Semi-Autonomous
Systems (LISAS) this project will be the first time a highly autonomus robot
will be used to inpsect the electricity networks in the United Kingdom. LISAS
will trial a robot system capable of making its own decisions whithout human
control. It will navigate its own route as it moves form overhead line to
overhead line, seamlessly navigating from steel tower to steel tower, as it
capties critical asset data to inform reinforcement and maintenance
requirements.

NIA Projects Completed

NIA SHET 0001 Sustainable Commercial Model for Networks

The lack of a clear and consistent commercial approach to quantify and analyse the social and environmental impacts of network developments alongside the economic costs and benefits and illustrate their quantification in a transparent way has let to overreliance on subjective interpretation by TOs and external bodies including planning authorities and potential objectors. This, in turn, has lead to significant delays in projects while these impacts are debated, resulting in an increased cost to deliver infrastructure projects, borne by network customers.An example of this would be the Beauly Denny line which was delayed for 3 years while a Public Enquiry was held of the potential impacts of the transmission line on the Scottish Highlands. An estimated cost of £81m was agreed with Ofgem to mitigate the 73 planning consent conditions identified in during the public enquiry; a cost to electricity consumers which could potentially be reduced in future projects from a refined assessment of the social and environmental impacts.

Key activities

Develop a method and software model to quantify the contribution of Transmission projects to the wider economy from direct, indirect, and induced expenditure.

Identify key drivers of value creation.

Identify key opportunities for network operators where the level and type of stakeholder engagement can be improved to enhance the stakeholder experience.

This project aims to improve asset management capabilities in line with the Smart Grid principle, for example more intelligent monitoring of assets’ remaining life. Prognostics and Health Monitoring (PHM) is, broadly speaking, the science of analysing the operating and environmental parameters of a system and using those data points to predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of the system. Initially, a literature review of the science of PHM will be conducted to identify optimal tools for determining asset health and forecasting RUL. Knowledge from the review will be applied in the development of a small scale condition monitoring and prognostics system for predicting the RUL of an electromagnetic relay with a failure history which appears to exhibit a correlation between life expectancy and the applied voltage.Subsequently, an online oil condition monitoring and prognostics system prototype will be developed incorporating a dedicated intelligent sensor system with data handling and communication capability. Once tested in the lab and optimised, the prototype will be demonstrated on decommissioned transformers in SHE Transmission’s licence area.

Key features

• Develop a small scale system for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of an electromagnetic relay.• Identify optimal tools for determining asset health and forecasting RUL.• Develop an online oil condition monitoring and prognostics system prototype incorporating a dedicated intelligent sensor system.• Demonstrate the prototype on decommissioned transformers in SHE Transmission’s licence area.

NIA SHET 0003 Alternative Tower Construction

This project will investigate the use of a modified SBB Emergency Restoration System (ERS) as a Lightweight Tower Crane (LTC) in the trial construction and dismantlement of transmission towers in SHE Transmission’s license area to establish if it is technically feasible, economical, minimises environmental impact, and mitigates safety issues inherent in existing construction methods.A modified SBB ERS will be trialled as an LTC in the construction and dismantlement of an appropriate range of towers (may include 132kV, 275kV and/or 400kV) to establish if the method can achieve:• Reduction of construction time and costs• Reduction of environmental impact by reducing need for temporary access roads• Mitigation of safety issues of concern in tower construction that uses Derricks.

Key Activities

• Determine the method’s viability to reduce construction time and associated costs.• Understand the extent to which the method can reduce the need for temporary access roads and the level of potential environmental benefit from this.• Establish a best practice, procedure or methodology for using the method in the construction of transmission towers• Investigate the range of tower designs to which the method would be applicable.

NIA SHET 0004 Dynamic Line Rating CAT 1

This project will install a CAT-1 Transmission
Line Monitoring system on a SHE Transmission line and demonstrate whether it
can enable dynamic line rating resulting in safe and cost-effective line
operation close to its thermal rating.

This has the potential to achieve additional
transmission line capacity without the need for physical line uprating,
resulting in Capex and Opex savings.

The project will verify the correlation between
practical observations and the theoretical model already established, and
determine system planning required in case of wider adoption of the method.

Key
Activities

Investigate the ease of integration of CAT-1 proprietary
software with SHE Transmission’s SCADA system

Evaluate levels of additional capacity
achievable on the trial line through use of the installed CAT-1 equipment

Investigate the extent to which the technology
can be applied without need for physical line uprating.

Estimate potential Capex and Opex savings from
use of dynamic ratings based on the data obtained.

NIA SHET 0005 Transformer Intrascope

The initial objective of the project is to have a fully developed, assembled and working intrascope probe system which has been both mechanically and functionally tested within a laboratory-based environment. Once this is complete the intrascope system will be put through field-based testing on a number of spare, non-operational primary and supergrid transformers. This field based testing will provide practical experience in operating the intrascope system and allow for refinements to be made to either software or hardware if required. The system operation will be verified through destructive testing of the internal transformer winding insulation.Providing this is successful and SHE Transmission is confident in the intrascope system, an investigation of an operational transformer will be planned. SGT3 at Tealing Substation (S/S) has been chosen based on the historical problems associated with it and the age of the asset. The final aim of the project is to investigate SGT3 using the intrascope system to analyse and assess the condition of the internal insulation.

Key Activities

• Develop a prototype of the system and perform laboratory tests for functional, mechanical and optical performance• Test and demonstrate the prototype on out-of-service transformers and perform necessary refinements for testing on operational transformers• Test and demonstrate the prototype in the field on an operational transformer on the SHE Transmission network

NIA SHET 0006 Insulated Cross Arms Lecht & St. Fergus Trails

This project installed four cross arms on a deenergised transmission line over a two-year period, with monitoring equipment installed to monitor the mechanical performance of the cross arms and the weather conditions. Following this trial, two cross arms were installed on a custom built steel tower and connected to a transformer to test the electrical properties of the cross arm.

The success of this project has resulted in an additional project to install and test the Insulated Cross Arms on a live transmission tower – see (link to NIA SHET 0007)

Key Activities

• Install Design and build prototypes for the uprating of 132KV tower lines• Install protoype 132KV models in a harsh weather environment test area - The Lecht• Install current L3 prototype models in a coastal trial site to evaluate the effects of salt and other pollutants on the insulation – St Fergus

NIA SHET 0007 Insulated Cross Arms – 132kV Trials

This project follows on from the successfully completed NIA SHET 0006 project.Insulated cross arms have been installed on the towers of an operational 312kV circuit and will be monitored for a period of up to two years to evaluate their electrical and mechanical performance when used in a real live operational environment.

Key Activities

• Install Insulated Cross Arms on an operational 132kV tower line.• Capture the learning of the installation methods.• Monitor and evaluate the installed trial Insulated Cross Arms for both electrical and mechanical performance in order to establish their readiness for use in the real operational environment.

NIA SHET 0008 HVDC Nanocomposite Insulation

This project will develop a new method that
will allow reproducible results for the distribution of nano scale fillers into
polymeric insulation material. Scalability of the techniques will be
demonstrated through the creation and testing of prototype full size bushings.
To do this a new manufacturing method will be developed.

This new material may have potential to allow
the reduction in size of insulators in HVDC systems by demonstrating enhanced
insulation properties.

Key
Activities

Assess whether nanocomposites can be dispersed in polymeric
insulation material in a reproducible fashion.

Assess whether a new improved insulation material can be
created and used to construct full size products such as bushings.

NIA SHET 0009 DC/DC Converter

The overall objective of the project is to develop
a design for a DC/DC converter which could subsequently (as part of a potential
separate project) be developed further into a laboratory demonstration.

The design of a DC/DC converter will be optimised
and integration with HVDC systems investigated.

Produce conclusions and recommendations on the design of
DC/DC converters and their use integrating HVDC systems.

NIA SHET 0010 New Suite of Transmission Structures

The
intention of this project is to leverage innovations (for example: ICAs and
low-sag conductors) to design a new suite of transmission structures to exploit
fully their potential.

The
scope of the project will include the following:

Identify the requirements and standards that govern
transmission voltage of 275kV.

Assess new structure design options, including the use of new
materials, from a review of what is being built internationally, and other
innovations.

Develop designs for a small number of the structure options
that show the most potential, and model prototypes for the most promising.

Assess safety, health and environmental impact of the new
design, and review the economic implications.

Key
Activities

Development of a suite of 275kV transmission structures including
production of scaled models of the new design

Safety, health, environmental, and economic assessments sufficient
to decide whether to deploy the new design as an alternative to traditional
designs.

NIA SHET 0011 Lightening Protection

This
project will build and verify simulation models of lightning strikes on lines
where the towers have high footing resistances (applicable to steel-lattice
towers at voltages of 132kV and above), and investigate the protection options
to inform decisions on lightning protection approaches.

Key
Activities

Understand the behaviour of transmission lines under
lightning strike conditions.

Create recommendations for a lightning protection policy for
transmission lines.

NIA SHET 0012 Magnetically Controlled Shunt Reactor (MCSR)

This project will conduct a study aimed at establishing the feasibility of installing a trial MCSR on the SHE Transmission network including considerations of location, performance specification, and relevant system data. Risk analysis of the technology and training, operation and maintenance requirements will be reported.The outputs will provide a basis for deciding the viability of installing a trial MCSR on SHE Transmission’s operational network without compromising safety, health and the environment as enshrined in GB statutes.

Key Activities

• Establish the best location for installing a trial MCSR, its performance specification and the relevant system data for the chosen location• Complete a detailed design of MCSR with capability to be adapted for the functionality of an SVC and including all associated electrical and civil designs• Perform risk analysis of the technology

The current approach to substation
construction differs little from that of 60 years ago; meanwhile many
innovations in design and civil engineering could create a substation which is
cheaper, faster to deploy and more suited to GB’s low carbon energy future

This project defined the
requirements for a modular approach to transmission substation from design to
construction.

An assessment of the alternative
approaches to traditional substation design and construction techniques has
created recommendations for Transmission Operators to employ new approaches, including
potential changes to design and operational standards.

The success of this project has resulted in an
additional project to fully design, construct, install and monitor an
alternative substation based on the design work completed in this project.

Key
Activities

Identify the requirements and standards that govern
transmission substations up to a voltage of 275kV and 400kV.

Assess new design options and techniques, including the use of new
materials, from a review of what is being built internationally, and other
innovations.

Assess the impacts of the new designs, including safety and
environmental impact, operational considerations, requirements for additional
training, and economics.

NIC Projects in Progress

Modular Approach to Substation Construction

SHE Transmission proposes to demonstrate and deploy a permanent substation designed using a Modular Approach to Substation Construction (MASC) based on the design development work completed as part of NIA SHET 0013.